Last Words of Texas Death Row Inmate Who Murdered Strip Club Manager and Friend Revealed: 'I Had No Right to Take Your Loved Ones'

A Texas death row inmate was executed Thursday, the country's second lethal injection of the day, expressing remorse for the 2004 murders at a Killeen strip club.

Richard Lee Tabler, 46, was executed by lethal injection on Thursday at 6:38 p.m. ET for the grisly murders of Mohamed-Amine Rahmouni and Haitham Frank Zayed, both of whom were involved in the management of the strip club, USA Today reported.

Before his execution by lethal injection, Tabler apologized to his victim's families and delivered his final words.

"There is not a day that goes by that I don't regret my actions, I had no right to take your loved ones from you, and I ask and pray; hope and pray that one day you find it in your hearts to forgive me for those actions. No amount of my apologies will ever return them to you. And if you feel that this is what you need to get you closure, I pray it helps you have that closure. I just hope that one day you find that forgiveness to forgive me for taking your loved ones from you. I am deeply sorry."

Tabler also addressed his family, friends and faith:

"To my mom, my sister, my niece, my lawyers, my supporters, my friends, my family, and everybody I love you. This isn't the end; this is only the beginning," he said. "... I thank God for allowing me to seek him out and finding him and show that this isn't about me. We are all here today because of my actions, but in the end, it comes down to God, praising him and giving honor to him.

"I have accepted Jesus Christ my lord and Savior years ago, and I just want you guys to know how deeply sorry I am, but I know when this happens, and this goes through it's going to be the end of this life, but it will be the beginning of my ultimate life in heaven. I'm sorry and as Philippians 1:21 says to live is die to live is Christ and to die is gain, with that said, Warden Strong thank you I am finished."

Tabler also confessed to killing two young dancers, Tiffany Loraine Dotson, 18, and Amanda Benefield, 16, though he was never tried for their murders as he had already been sentenced to death. His crime spree shocked central Texas, and prosecutors described his actions as "cold-blooded and senseless."

During his 20 years on death row, Tabler found faith, led a prison ministry, and wrote books reflecting on his crimes and warning young people not to follow in his footsteps. In his final days, his mother, sister, and wife—who met Tabler in a prison pen-pal program—described him as a remorseful man who had changed behind bars.

"A lot of people cannot understand how I can have such peace and joy in my heart in the face of my own death, but I know it's the strength, grace and mercy of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, who has been with me every step of the way," Tabler said in a statement to USA Today. "The day of my execution is the beginning of my real life."

His mother and sister were present as witnesses, having promised to him, "You're not gonna die alone."